River Cruise Beverage Policies – Revisited

Two years ago, we wrote about the myriad of beverage policies that are present in the river cruise industry. Some lines offer complimentary beverages across all ships and destinations, while others include free beer and wine with lunch and dinner.

But fast forward two years, and things have changed substantially. Some lines, like CroisiEurope,Tauckand Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collectionnow offer inclusive onboard beverage policies that allow for all but premium wines and spirits to be enjoyed freely throughout the cruise. Others, like A-ROSA, have been all-inclusive from the start.

To help readers make sense of the many policies offered by each line, we’ve updated our handy chart of who-offers-what:

Should you chose a river cruise operator solely based on its beverage policies? Probably not, but if all things were created equal, the advantage of having most if not all beverages provided on a complimentary basis could be enough to tip the scales in favor of that particular line.

It’s also critically important that river cruisers do their homework; even if you’ve sailed with a particularly line before, don’t assume its offerings in, say, Russia will be identical to those on its European river vessels. Ships operating in areas like Russia, Portugal, Asia and South America are often owned and or operated by other companies and may have entirely different policies toward onboard beverages.

The good news, though, is that river cruise lines seem to be getting even more competitive where beverages are concerned. River cruising has always been more inclusive than many mainstream ocean-cruising products, and that trend looks like it will continue.

Can’t Find What You Need?

Comparing River Cruise Companies

Most river cruise vessels are the same length, the same width and they have the same number of decks. And many sail the same rivers on similar itineraries. But there are some key differentiators that can make or break your cruise, depending on what's included, and more often, what's not.

How To Choose Your River Cruise

Choosing a river cruise can be a source of consternation, confusion and frustration. In Europe alone there are more than two dozen navigable rivers and canals. Add the confluence of companies offering seemingly similar experiences and you might just end up feeling as though you’re going upriver without a paddle, so to speak.

Price Comparisons

Comparative 2020 pricing for river cruises in similar staterooms across all operators. Broken down by river and region. For comparison purposes, we looked for staterooms of equivalent sizes and features, namely those with French balconies or step-out balconies. Find out what you should be paying (or could be paying) for your river cruise.